Jun 27 2008
Dear Ms. Ali,
Thank you for everything. I want you to know that I care about you, and you are very important to me. Jazakallah-ho-khairun.
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Yesterday was the last day of school. These words from my Grade 4 student touched me so deeply. She could have said many other things about my teaching, but she thought it important to tell me this. Could I matter any more.
May 22 2008
4:30 left work
5:15 arrived home and had dinner
5:40 took my ‘flintstones’
5:48 had a couple of minutes to review my pattern online before my lesson
5:55 a friend called to say goodbye before she leaves the country for the summer
6:07 left for taekwondo twenty minutes early…accidentally…I still can’t figure it out
6:23 stopped at my aunt’s to visit and pray asr
7:08 arrived at taekwondo 8 minutes late
7:10 master waved peace at me when I entered..no push-ups for tardiness 
Remembered my pattern
50 pushups anyway
Had an epiphany
8:10 got to give my instructor a penalty for not having her uniform 
1 pushup
Sat back in the club and chatted with a good friend
8:32 dropped in at dollarama…teacher heaven…and bought a broom and dustpan for my classroom and my neighbor’s
8:33 a friend sang me caribbean queen over email
8:40 Drove home in the twilight
9:02 arrived home and settled in
9:40 prayed and made duaa
epiphany :O
10:00 had tea and watched the funniest episode of Frasier ever with my mom
10:40 looked in my mirror…a light had turned on
hung out in my room and thought
the light’s still on
Apr 28 2008
Friendship IXX by Khalil Gibran
And a youth said, “Speak to us of Friendship.”
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own
mind, nor do you withhold the “ay.”
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all
expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as
the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not
love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing
of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Nov 14 2007
My favourite animal is the tiger. I wish that I could have a tiger for a pet. I imagine having one in jannah (paradise), if I get there, if Allah 
wills. I also dream of flying. If you go to the Ontario Science Centre there’s a feature in the Living Earth exhibit which simulates an eagle’s flight. Its very cool. I wish that we’d dream more of jannah, but I know that there’s this overarching perception in our minds that jannah is beyond us. I agree with that completely, but I think its worth it to dream. Like the dream of meeting the prophet and sitting with him, feeling his keen eyes and ears take in every word I say and being comforted by his gentle words. How I love that dream. I loved how a nine year old in my class reacted when I told him he might meet the prophet. His face lit up and he hugged himself as though he was hugging his beloved! I also dream of meeting the people whom I love the most. And there is nothing which can match this: knowing that we might meet again in perfect happiness makes this physical existence irrelevant. And then, the dream that I might one day stand in His very presence. My heart stands in awe from here. What more is there.
So this, my dream, is really a simple prayer from the depths of my heart, now published on this one page because I want to say that I want to get there. And I want everyone I love to be there too. Oh my Lord, please accept my prayer.
Nov 04 2007
I feel as though someone’s handed me the moon… and I don’t exactly know what to do with it.
Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables, The Sequel
Me when I just realized that its only 8pm instead of 9.
Oct 19 2007
“…and God is with the patient.” (Qur’an, 2:153)
 ”By the Glorious Morning Light,
And by the Night when it is still,-
Your Guardian-Lord has not forsaken you, nor is He displeased.
And verily the Hereafter will be better for you than the present.
And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give you (that wherewith) you shall be well-pleased.
Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter (and care)?
And He found you wandering, and He gave you guidance.
And He found you in need, and made you independent.
Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness,
Nor repulse the petitioner (unheard);Â
 But the bounty of your Lord – rehearse and proclaim!” (Qur’an, 93:1-11)
http://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/tafsir/syed_qutb/Surah_93.htm
Oct 13 2007
Those people who refresh and energize us when we’ve perhaps forgotten how it feels to truly live. When I see them, I remember how much of my self I’m missing and I long for their companionship. I may walk many a mile without them, but nothing may replace the kind of nourishment they provide. May Allah SWT help me to be with them now and to be among them hereafter, ameen.
May Allah SWT reward us for every good effort of ours during Ramadan. Blessed Eid! I feasted alhamdulillah
Asma Maryam Ali